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Friday, January 24, 2014

Toasting Lear: The Young Producer’s Benefit

Photo: Elena Olivo

On the night of January 15, BAM celebrated the opening of Chichester Festival Theatre's lauded production of King Lear at the Harvey Theater, directed by Angus Jackson. The Young Producers, a group of young professionals who make up one of BAM's newest and most forward-thinking patron programs, celebrated as well. And it did so in style: the annual Young Producer's Benefit was a sleek, wine- and food-filled party with the cast and crew.

The night began with a performance of King Lear, starring Tony Award winner and Academy Award nominee Frank Langella as the mad king and disgraced patriarch, one of the most coveted roles in theater. Moments after the actors took their bows, the crowd flooded into the Campbell Lobby for a special post-show reception. The cast and crew joined the celebration, with an English-themed food spread—complete with mini shepherd pies and single servings of fish and chips. In addition, Brooklyn Gin designed a specially themed cocktail for the night, and the lobby was lushly decorated by Bella Meyer and the design team at Fleurs Bella.

Say "Lear!" Photo: Elena Olivo

BAM Executive Producer Joe Melillo opened the night’s remarks, followed by Jonathan Church, the artistic director of Britain’s Olivier Award-winning Chichester Festival Theatre. Church, with a big smile, recounted that it was difficult to be the administrative leader of a show in which the lead character never plays the role "the same way twice." A laughing Langella quickly took the mic to address Church’s story, and to correct the apparently misquoted notion. After the remarks, the party continued late into the night.